Code Alert: California, 22 September 2009

The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has filed its intent to adopt the 2008 National Electrical Code for buildings and structures that fall within its jurisdiction. Those include residential occupancies and accessory structures, mobile home parks, factory-built housing units, and all structures regulated by the State Housing Law or the Employee Housing Act. The proposed rulemaking will be incorporated into the 2010 Edition of the California Electrical Code.

The Department has proposed to adopt the 2008 National Electrical Code with only a few amendments that are intended to clarify code application and intent. Significantly, Chapter 2 is recommended for adoption without amendment, meaning that residents of the State of California will be provided with the latest technology to mitigate electrical fires: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters in most areas of the home. Similarly, HCD proposes to adopt Chapter 4 without amendment, meaning that children will benefit from the increased protection from electrical shock and burns provided by tamper resistant receptacles.